Top 10 Best 3D Printers Under $500

Looking for the Best 3D Printers Under $500? We are here to help you. The market is full of high-quality 3D printers that you can get without letting your wallet empty. We refer here to the best 3D printers under $500 available on the market. All products listed below have been carefully analyzed – information from professional journals and, more importantly, comments from customers who actually purchased the products.

Best 3D Printers Under $500 Comparison Table

3D Printers Under $500
Printer Name Connectivity Weight
FlashForge Finder Wi-Fi, USB 44.1 lb
Monoprice Select Mini V2 USB, Micro SD 9.9 lb
XYZprinting da Vinci 1.0 USB 57.3 lb
CoLiDo DIY USB 12.6 lb
XYZprinting da Vinci miniMaker USB 15.1 lb
Anet A8 USB, Micro SD 16.3 lb
Geeetech E180 Wi-Fi, USB, MicroSD 9.9 lb
The Micro by M3D USB 2.2 lb
Anycubic i3 Mega USB, Micro SD 32 lb
Printrbot Play 1505 USB, Micro SD 15.4 lb

Here are the Top 10 Best 3D Printers Under $500

FlashForge Finder

In our books, FlashForge Finder is one of the best 3D printers under $500 available on the market. It is a user-friendly 3D printer that allows you to print less than 30 minutes after you have it out of the box. Calibrating the machine is quick and easy, even if you do not have experience with 3D printers. And if you need help with the initial installation, the manufacturer offers excellent customer service. For an economical 3D printer, a Finder is a machine capable of producing detailed, high-quality products with minimal problems. This is not surprising since it was originally planned for over $500. It comes with the same quality as that used by 3D printers that are $200 to $300 more expensive. Of course, this does not impress the hardcore crowd. But for educational and informal use at home, the Finder is more than just his job.

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Unlike other cost-effective 3D printers, the Finder works in silent mode during printing. There are no alarming noises due to mechanical parts. The operation of the machine is also fluid, thanks to the user-friendly and reactive touch interface. The Wi-Fi option is very useful in terms of connectivity. But for fast data processing, we always recommend a USB connection. Removable construction panel is neat, allowing quick removal of printed elements. And the closed machine means that children can use it safely, although adult supervision is still necessary. Typically, the Finder is the perfect 3D entry-level printer and is one of the best 3D printers under 500 dollars.

Pros:

  • Plug-and-play setup
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • Responsive touchscreen interface
  • Runs quietly
  • Removable build plate
  • Sturdy build quality

Cons:

  • Limited to just PLA filament
  • Non-heated bed
  • Build plate size not the most accommodating

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Monoprice Select Mini V2

The next time someone tells you that you will not be able to get one of the best 3D printers under 500 dollars, let them see the Monoprice Select Mini V2. It’s an incredibly cheap 3D printer that gives surprisingly good results. If you want to dive into 3D printing but do not want to shell out more than $300 for your first device, this economical 3D printer is for you. Lightweight and well constructed, the Monoprice Select Mini V2 is an entry-level 3D printer with a small build plate. It is compact enough to easily fit most offices without being in place. But the small building plate means that you have limits on what you can print. If you just want to print small items to get a good idea of what 3D printing is, it’s not really a decisive factor.

It’s easy to use, which is a boon for beginners, but we’re not big fans of the command button. It is not because he does not answer or he is not very smooth. We only think a series of input buttons would have done a better job. In a related note, it may take some time to configure it for optimal settings. But on the plus side, there are many videos available on how to do it. In terms of print quality, the Monoprice Select Mini V2 is solid. The level of detail of each product will surely surprise you. Some people may even consider your work as the product of advanced 3D printers. In other words, it’s one of the best 3D printers under $500 and you get more than you pay for.

Pros:

  • Lightweight and portable
  • Heated build plate
  • Easy to operate
  • High-quality print
  • Hard-to-beat price

Cons:

  • Small build plate
  • Not the easiest to calibrate
  • Unreliable customer support

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XYZprinting da Vinci 1.0

Most economical 3D printers have a limited build volume. To get the best 3D printer with a higher capacity than normal, you do not have to look any further than XYZprinting da Vinci 1.0. The other products on this list have a more generous volume. But in terms of value, da Vinci 1.0 beats them all. Fully enclosed for maximum protection, this economical 3D printer is assembled ready to use. There is no need to spend hours composing – which is crucial for newcomers who have their head spinning just by looking at the manual.

Like the FlashForge Finder, this 3D printer allows plug-and-play installation. You can start printing in less than an hour after unpacking. The large volume of construction means the da Vinci 1.0 can print projects you can only dream of using FlashForge Finder and Monoprice Select Mini V2, our other top choices. And the quality of the printed products justifies more than the price. You get a machine capable of producing detailed products that seem to be twice as expensive as a 3D printer. Overall, it’s one of the best 3D printers under $500.

Pros:

  • Plug-and-play setup
  • Large build plate
  • Easy to calibrate and use
  • Fully enclosed
  • A filament is easy to install

Cons:

  • Expensive proprietary filament
  • Limited software
  • Bad after-sales support

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CoLiDo DIY

CoLiDo DIY is one of the most affordable DIY 3D printers you can get. We actually tended to award our “Best Budget” medal until we decided that the closed character of the Monoprice Select Mini V2 was more appealing to beginners. Despite being a DIY 3D printer, the DIY CoLiDo is quite easy to assemble. You can assemble it in less than 30 minutes. Add another 15 minutes for the first calibration and it is ready to use. If the instruction manual was more detailed, the assembly process would probably cost you less than 15 minutes. Because of the initial installation without problems, you can start printing in less than an hour.

The print quality is good and accurate. It’s not nearly as good as the elements printed from top-of-the-line 3D printers. But for a $200 3D printer, it’s a lot better than most people expect. The generous size is also a big plus. The package comes with a USB key with a number of test patterns. But do not hesitate to create your own design if you want something special for your very first article. Since this 3D printer is visible, you are probably considering buying a blanket. I am sorry to drop your plans, but finding a suitable case can be very difficult. If you like to build things, we suggest you easily build your own case. Of course, this is one of the best 3D printers under 500 dollars.

Pros:

  • Easy to assemble and calibrate
  • Sturdy, odorless materials
  • Large build size
  • Connects easily
  • Includes test models

Cons:

  • Instruction manual lacks details
  • Customer support is a mixed bag
  • Limited to PLA filament

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XYZprinting da Vinci miniMaker

The da Vinci miniMaker from XYZprinting is an entry-level 3D printer sold to children. But you probably already thought about it when you saw the bright primary colors. However, it’s not fair for home use. Teachers can also use it at school to raise their children. In terms of print quality, it’s pretty good for a $200 product. But the biggest asset of the Da Vinci miniMaker is its incredibly affordable price. It is now available for under $ 200 after being originally scheduled for $250. Similar to the XYZprinting da Vinci 1.0, the da Vinci miniMaker has a plug-and-play setup. You can go from unpacking to printing in less than 30 minutes.

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And the automatic calibration function is really neat, so you do not have to sweat from the often discouraging calibration process. The real problem occurs when the printer encounters an error. Not because the mistakes are almost impossible to repair. But because the manual and customer support do not help. Pray that you will not encounter any problems during the first installation. Just a warning: the da Vinci miniMaker has compatibility issues with Mac. Therefore, we do not recommend this product to Mac users. But overall, it’s one of the best 3D printers under 500 dollars.

Pros:

  • Extremely cheap price
  • Plug-and-play setup
  • Includes auto-calibration
  • Helpful software for beginners
  • Kids-friendly colors

Cons:

  • Incomplete instruction manual
  • Expensive proprietary filament
  • Spotty customer service

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Anet A8

You can not pay for the original Prusa i3 MK2S? Look at the Anet A8 instead. It is reliable, produces good quality prints and has a large size. But here’s the warning: it’s not the most user-friendly 3D printer on the market. The Anet A8 requires approximately 4 to 7 hours of complete assembly and optimal calibration, depending on your technical knowledge. In the meantime, you usually use YouTube videos because the manual provided on the MicroSD card is not really useful. This 3D DIY printer is recommended for fans who do not fear to get their hands dirty.

Once you’ve set everything up, the Anet A8 is pretty easy to use. It is able to produce detailed prints and supports a wide range of filaments. The heated bed is also an advantage, allowing reliable ABS treatment. But to get the most out of it, you have to adjust it with the best parts available on the market. This means that you still have to spend a few euros to get it in shape. The Anet A8 is a great choice for those who like to collect items, take on challenges and want one of the best 3D printers under $500.

Pros:

  • Supports various filaments
  • Large build size
  • Heated bed
  • Straightforward operation

Cons:

  • Takes time to fully assemble
  • Poor instruction manual
  • Not ideal for beginners

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Geeetech E180

The Geeetech E180 is very similar to the Monoprice Select Mini V2. Not really surprising, as imitators are everywhere in the 3D printing industry. But that’s the only thing that could have made the Monoprice Select Mini V2 an even better product: a modern import mechanism. Instead of a button, the Geeetech E180 includes a 3.2-inch color touch screen that responds and is easy to navigate. It’s a fully assembled, ready-to-use 3D printer that needs to be tinkered. Everything you need to use it is accessible via the touch screen interface. The Geeetech E180 also gets bonus points because it can be easily calibrated.

These cost-effective 3D printers are combined with the cloud-based EasyPrint 3D application, allowing remote operation and quick access to dozens of free templates. With the latter, you can immediately start printing after the printer has been removed from memory. You do not need to search the Internet for easy-to-use 3D models for testing. Smooth and precise, this mini 3D printer with support for Kickstarter offers a feature to resume its activities. This feature allows you to pause printing and then resume the process at any time. Overall, it’s one of the best 3D printers under $500.

Pros:

  • Plug-and-play setup
  • Quick and easy calibration
  • User-friendly touchscreen interface
  • Produces accurate results
  • Clean look

Cons:

  • Non-heated bed
  • Limited to PLA filament
  • Small build plate

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The Micro by M3D

All good things do not come in big packages. Take the microphone of M3D for example. It is a compact 3D printer that offers excellent value for money. The Micro works with many economical 3D printers available on the market. It is ready to print directly from the package and can work days and weeks with minimal problems. The level of detail of the items produced is surprisingly good. It is actually similar to items produced by 3D printers in the $600 to $700 range. Due to the small building plate, however, you are pretty limited in projects that you can include. Lightweight and easy to use, this inexpensive 3D printer works noiselessly. It does not contain any of these disturbing sounds often associated with low-end 3D printers.

However, it is slow, mainly because of the direct configuration of the extruder. Unlike a Bowden configuration, a direct configuration adds more weight, which affects the speed of the extruder. Impatient people may want to stay away from the Micro. Unlike XYZ printing, M3D offers excellent customer service, especially e-mail support. Do not hesitate to inform the manufacturer when you encounter a problem. The support team will be happy to help you get your impressions back. 3D printing is quite technical. That’s why it’s essential to have a competent customer support team. Overall, it’s one of the best 3D printers under $500.

Pros:

  • Plug-and-play setup
  • Includes auto-calibration
  • Reliable and runs quietly
  • Top-notch after-sales support
  • Available in different colors

Cons:

  • Small build size
  • Slow printing process

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Anycubic i3 Mega

Sometimes it’s the little things that make a product stand out from the rest. Based on promotional material, you can easily assume that the Anycubic i3 Mega is a cheap Prusa i3 clone. But once you have removed it from the company, you will immediately realize that it is different from others. The Anycubic i3 Mega comes in a carefully packaged box. All the pieces are grouped in an organized way. There are no loose wires or parts that protrude. Assembling the printer is quick and easy because it is already half-ready. All you have to do is install the remaining parts. DIYers can be disappointed because it’s not a real DIY 3D printer. But for beginners, the first painless installation is welcome.

All you need is in the box. Anycubic contains for each product a 1 kg PLA filament, a spare end, a filament holder, a screwdriver and other tools. Our only problem may be the lack of a more detailed manual. You have to go to the official website for more information about the printer and the first installation. Anycubic also offers excellent after-sales support. But because the manufacturer is based in China, you expect a response time, depending on where you live. Overall, it’s one of the best 3D printers under $500 on the market today.

Pros:

  • Fully assembles in minutes
  • Package includes various tools and accessories
  • Easy to calibrate
  • Great print quality
  • Clean look with no exposed wires

Cons:

  • Occasional noise can be detected
  • No case

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Printrbot Play 1505

The Printrbot Play 1505 is another straight 3D printer. It is pre-assembled so you can start printing less than 30 minutes after unpacking. The initial setup is painless and can be easily done by beginners. Print quality is amazing for an economical 3D printer. It is accurate, consistent, and comparable to the print quality of expensive 3D printers. Compared to other Printers of the same price, the Printrbot Play 1505 works relatively fast. But because of the small building plate, you can only make small objects. This is not really a big problem for beginners. When you’re ready to step up your game, you can always opt for a bigger building board.

For protection, this printer comes with a covered extruder and fan box. It’s actually a mixed bag. On the one hand, the covered configuration makes the printer secure for children. But on the other hand, replacing the filament becomes a problem. Speaking of the filament, the package contains a separate filament holder that you can attach to the machine. The Printrbot Play 1505 has a very clean, completely white finish. It’s absolutely beautiful and one of the best 3D printers under $500.

Pros:

  • Up and running in less than 30 minutes
  • Easy to set up and calibrate
  • Covered extruder and fan shroud for protection
  • Consistent print quality
  • Prints relatively fast

Cons:

  • Really small build size
  • Initial filament too short

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Final Words

If you’re looking for the Best 3D Printers Under $500, check out our list. If you’re a DIYer who wants to invent and create, 3D printing is a good starting point for rapid prototyping. 3D printing technology has been on the market for a long time, but many people do not trust the purchase of a new 3D printer, even in an affordable budget. 3D printers are not identical to 2D printers. You may have heard of big names such as Canon, Epson, Brother producing 2D printers. But this is not the case with 3D printers. You can listen to brands you do not know.

Top 10 Best 3D Printers